I would think the pseudodragon would follow the rules for faerie dragons and dragons, so yes, they should be able to activate a wand using UMD.
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Well, I suppose it might depend if this part of the description:
They often only vocalize in chirps, hisses, growls, and purrs, but can communicate telepathically with any intelligent creature.means that they are unable to speak the command word.
At 5th level they gain the ability to speak verbally, but only with their master unless magical means are used to understand them. Seems to be some back and forth as to whether or not that counts.
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Isn't that part of the point of having Use Magic Device, though? If the command word is Hassenfrass, why does it matter if the pseudodragon can't say Hassenfrass? That's the whole point of UMD, he doesn't have to... he just has to try... then make his UMD roll. Same as a wizard who didn't even know the command word in the first place would.
Not to mention, especially if you are crafting wands yourself, just make the commmand word a certai combination of barks and chirps or something from the pseudodragon and then bam he knows the command word.
As for Decoy, a pseudodragon can't take that archetype. Most familiar archetypes replace "Speak with Others of their Kind" which Mark Seifer (the writer) said he specifically did so that Improved Familiars would not qualify.
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Isn't that part of the point of having Use Magic Device, though? If the command word is Hassenfrass, why does it matter if the pseudodragon can't say Hassenfrass? That's the whole point of UMD, he doesn't have to... he just has to try... then make his UMD roll. Same as a wizard who didn't even know the command word in the first place would.
That's the thing, though. UMD is written rather...awkwardly. If you activate it blindly, you're right, but if you use the "activate wand" aspect of UMD you still need to say the word. So, on the face of it, if you want to use a wand without saying the correct word you would need to hit both a DC 20 UMD check to use a spell trigger item without having the spell on your class list, as well as a DC 25 UMD to activate it blindly without using the word. Assuming you can actually do that.
Not to mention, especially if you are crafting wands yourself, just make the commmand word a certai combination of barks and chirps or something from the pseudodragon and then bam he knows the command word.
The rules are also vague on the nature of the word for activating a wand. It goes into great detail on what "command words" are, but command words are different from the word needed to use a wand. It's kinda dumb. So, I guess it's up to the GM as to whether or not you can set the activation word as essentially anything (like a command word).
They do know, and can presumably speak, Draconic.
The quote that they often only speak ... Implies that sometimes they speak more complex languages. I rather expect that the majority of their in-species communication is telepathic.
